Factors affecting development and profitability of buffalo husbandry: case of Turkey

With this study, it was aimed to define factors affecting buffalo husbandry and to determine the effects on breeder profitability. The data was retrieved from 462 buffalo breeders via face to face survey from Samsun, istanbul, Diyarbakir, Mus, Tokat, Afyonkarahisar and Bitlis provinces of Turkey for 2014 production season, where buffalo husbandry is a prominent agricultural activity. The analysis of profitability was made to evaluate technical efficiency of buffalo husbandry and direct field-based supporting schemes. The significant fields that policymakers should focus on were determined prior to determination of factors affecting producers' attitudes towards buffalo husbandry. These are producers' awareness and level of satisfaction, use of technology, supporting policies, marketing operations, producer organisations, local leadership, and income sustainability, the field of operation and level of technical knowledge. The positive and statistically significant relationship was determined between supporting policies factor reflecting producer attitudes and relative profitability. Accordingly, it was understood that appreciation in supports to the sector appeared to affect profitability positively. Another significant finding was the existing positive relationships between profitability and lactation period (months), amount of concentrated feed (kg/buffalo), productive information level of the breeder, existing buffalo stock and indebtedness situation of the breeder. The geographic variation of buffalo husbandry demonstrated that breeding and market conditions are essential and there are significant relationships between buffalo husbandry and producer organisations as well as development level of marketing organisations.